POLYMORPHISMS IN THE COAGULATION FACTOR VII GENE AND THE RISK OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.

Background High blood levels of coagulation factor VII are associated with a risk of ischemic vascular disease. Although factor VII levels may be genetically determined, the relation between genetic polymorphisms of factor VII, factor VII blood levels, and the risk of myocardial infarction has not been established. Methods We performed a case–control study of 165 patients with familial myocardial infarction (mean [SD] age, 559 years) and 225 controls without a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease (mean age, 568 years). The polymorphisms involving R353Q and hypervariable region 4 of the factor VII gene were studied. Factor VII clotting activity and antigen levels were also measured. Conclusions Our findings suggest that certain polymorphisms of the factor VII gene may influence the risk of myocardial infarction. It is possible that this effect may be mediated by alterations in factor VII levels.